Fiji, June 18 -- Australia and Papua New Guinea have thrown their support behind greater Pacific security cooperation, with both countries endorsing efforts to explore a regional security pact proposed by Solomon Islands Prime Minister Jeremiah Manele.

The ministers were questioned in Adelaide on Wednesday about a proposal floated by Solomon Islands Prime Minister Jeremiah Manele for a regional security pact.

Tkatchenko said regional cooperation remained essential to maintaining stability in the Pacific.

"Look, for our region, we all need to work together in partnership."

"And Australia's been doing a fantastic job in signing up all different Pacific Island countries with treaties and defence cooperation agreements and what have you t...